What Are COVID Toes? A Case Study

Abstract

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 symptoms mimic many other common conditions, making it difficult to identify patients infected with COVID-19. Adult patients may exhibit what is called "COVID toes" later in their course of illness. Noteworthy is that COVID toes may be the only symptom in otherwise asymptomatic young adults and children. CASE: We present experience with an adult female patient residing in the United States with presumed COVID-19 infection who was self-isolating with illness not severe enough to require hospitalization. COVID toes were one symptom experienced as a part of her illness. Because COVID toes are usually seen in the recovery phase of COVID-19, and often in patients with less severe cases, many providers are unfamiliar with this new symptom. CONCLUSION: Familiarity with COVID toes will help foot care providers to identify patients who may not have been diagnosed with COVID-19 but could still be infectious and need to be isolated. COVID toe signs may be subtle and often mimic other conditions such as chilblains/pernio, thus a thorough history and physical examination are required.